Marriott hotel to face new convention center

An apparently abandoned store will be replaced by a Courtyard by Marriott. Photo: Diario de Yucatán

Mérida, Yucatán — Local investors will build a Courtyard by Marriott hotel across the street from the new International Convention Center, said Tourism Secretary Saúl Ancona Salazar.

The project will rise on a valuable parcel formerly occupied by La Curacao, an apparently abandoned electronics store on Avenida Colón and Calle 62, he said.

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A stylish Courtyard by Marriott in Querétero. Photo: Courtesy

The 140-room hotel will be aimed at business travelers.

The names of the investors and the size of their investment is being kept confidential until final approvals go through, although Ancona Salazar did say the project’s backers are from the Yucatán Peninsula.

The new International Convention Center of Yucatán will be completed in 2017. Handout photo

“We know that the talks are very advanced, investors and managers of the chain are working to ensure that the building complies with the world standards of Marriott,” he said.

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Courtyard by Marriott focuses more on function than luxury, as opposed to the fanciful, full-service hotels – the Fiesta Americana, Hyatt Regency and InterContinental Presidente — down the street.

Without discouraging families, Courtyards are designed for business travelers. Its rooms have desks, couches and free wi-fi; lobbies have 24-hour “mini-marts.” They don’t offer room service and tend not to have fancy shops or restaurants.